Summers are upon us, and as the temperatures start rising, you must start preparing for it. Along with keeping yourself well-hydrated, a focus on nutrition is a must, as the scorching sun can leave you feeling drained.
Most people know of foods that can keep you cool, like cucumbers, watermelon, mint, etc. However, these foods are not sufficient to keep you full during the summers. Therefore, we must concentrate on foods that have a higher nutritional value and cooling properties.
Let’s take a look at some surprising foods that can keep you cool in the summers while also keeping you satiated. You can also use these cooling foods for innovative recipes to make the summers a little more fun:
Avocados:
Avocados are a great source of healthy fat in your diet. Avocados are cooling as well as nourishing. You can squeeze a little lime on your avocados and say goodbye to your digestion problems. You can also make a delicious and healthy Avocado protein ice cream by following these steps:
- Peel and freeze the avocado for a few hours.
- Add one scoop of GNC Pro Performance 100% Whey Protein (Chocolate Supreme)
- Add one banana, another superfood for the summers.
- Blend the mixture. You might need to scrape the insides occasionally until you reach the desired consistency.
And there you have it! A healthy alternative that takes care of sugar cravings and gives you a boost of energy.
Celery:
Celery is not only a healthy alternative to crunchy chips but also has some hidden nutritional qualities. Celery consists mostly of water and is an excellent food for the summer. Celery is also rich in magnesium, iron, and sodium, ensuring that your body is not low on electrolytes in the summer.
You can add celery to a chilled glass of GNC AMP Gold Series BCAA Advanced with Vitamin B6 (Green Apple). Blend the two to create the ultimate pre or intra-workout drink. The B6 in the BCAAs help restore the natural stores of the vitamin B6 lost during intense workouts.
Leafy Greens:
Leafy greens like spinach, watercress, and kale have 80 to 90 percent water. Along with being cooling for the body, dark leafy greens are also rich in magnesium. Eating magnesium-rich foods in the summer helps replace the magnesium lost through perspiration. Leafy greens are also easy to digest. It means your body does not have to use a lot of energy, and it can stay cooler.
You can incorporate your leafy greens into a glass of detox smoothie. The ingredients you need to create the detox smoothie are:
- 2–3 cups spinach (packed)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 banana
- 1 apple (cored and cubed)
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 4 dates
- 1 tablespoon flax seeds
- Squeeze of lemon
- Large handful of ice (optional)
- GNC AMP Gold Series BCAA Advanced with Vitamin B6
Blend the spinach, bananas, and almond milk until well combined. Next, throw in the flax seeds, cucumber, dates, apple, and lemon juice and blend until the mixture is smooth. Add in the GNC AMP Gold Series BCAA Advanced with Vitamin B6, making it a recovery smoothie packed with nutritious goodness. It is a great way to pack nutrition into your diet if you do not like to eat leafy greens. You can also blend the ice with your smoothie if you like your smoothies chilled.
Bananas:
Bananas are a great addition to your diet in the summer. Apart from being rich in potassium, Bananas can clear intestinal heat, eliminate toxins and hydrate the body. They are an astringent food. It means that they cause your tissues to shrink, allowing the body to absorb more water.
You can use bananas to make an oats protein smoothie. All you need for this protein-packed recipe are rolled oats, 1 banana, 1 cup of milk of your choice, and 1 scoop of GNC Pro Performance 100% Whey Protein (Vanilla Cream). Blend all the ingredients together, and you have the shake to give you a protein boost and keep you cool.
Peaches:
While everybody is going gaga over watermelons, another fruit is a godsend during summers- Peaches. Peaches are full of vitamins A, C, riboflavin, and potassium. Consuming dried peaches also helps in regulating the body’s temperature. Peaches are also low in calories, making them a great snack.
Satiate your sweet tooth without compromising your health with a Peach Mango Chia seed protein pudding. To execute this recipe, you will need:
- Mango
- Peaches
- Chia seeds
- Coconut milk
- Protein powder
Blend the mango and peaches to create a puree. Then add chia seeds, coconut milk, the puree, a sweetener of your choice, and GNC AMP Pure Isolate (Vanilla Custard) to a bowl, and whisk together until smooth. If you do not have a whisk, you can use a fork to fold in the mixture. Add in some chunks of fresh mango and peaches to the mix. Chill in the fridge for 15 mins and stir the mixture again. Put it back in the fridge for 15 more minutes, and you have the perfect dessert. The protein powder makes it a good source of protein and gives it a nice custard-like taste.
Try these cooling foods this summer and keep yourselves satiated, hydrated, and healthy.
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